Following the recent onslaught of Storm Goretti, a biting cold snap has descended upon England, prompting urgent advice for homeowners on how to stay warm and reduce energy costs. The Met Office has issued fresh yellow weather warnings for ice across the nation, with additional alerts for rain and potential flooding in southern regions for Thursday, 15 January 2026.
Expert Advice to Combat Heat Loss
With temperatures plunging nationwide, energy efficiency experts are urging the public to take immediate, simple steps to keep the cold out. Joanna O'Loan, Knowledge Manager at the Energy Saving Trust, has issued practical guidance to help households retain heat.
Sam Jump, Head of Business Development at underfloor heating specialist the Wunda Group, emphasised that identifying areas of heat loss is the most effective way to improve heating efficiency. "During a cold snap, there are several simple ways that homeowners can cut down energy usage to save money on their heating bills without switching the heating off," Jump stated.
Seal Draughts to Save Up to 20% on Warmth
Jump highlighted that a significant amount of domestic warmth escapes through poorly sealed openings. Homes can lose up to 20% of their heat through windows and external doors.
"Audit and seal any gaps where even the slightest draught could be creeping through, and keep both internal and external doors closed," he advised. His recommendations include:
- Investing in an external letterbox cover and draught excluders for doors.
- Blocking up keyholes as well as letterboxes to stop cold air ingress.
- Fitting heavy or thermal-lined curtains to provide an extra barrier against the cold.
"Investing in heavy or thermal-lined curtains will yield the best results," Sam added, noting that these measures can make a substantial difference to both comfort and energy expenditure.
Forecast Predicts Prolonged Cold Spell
The call to action comes as weather forecasters predict a sustained period of very low temperatures. James Madden from Exacta Weather analysed the latest forecast models, indicating a strong consensus for a significant cold event.
"The most recent GFS and ECM runs continue as before and will now bring and see temperatures dropping to something significantly colder across our shores during next week," Madden explained. He noted there is strong pattern recognition and good cross-model agreement on the incoming cold.
Mr Madden cautioned that the precise timing and severity of the cold weather and potential snow events were still being refined. "It is more likely to be later in the week or towards the upcoming weekend before we can use these with confidence to help judge the overall scale for cold and snow severity," he said.
As the UK braces for this icy blast, the advice from experts is clear: taking a few minutes to draught-proof your home, starting with the letterbox, is a crucial step in staying warm and managing energy costs during the severe weather.
